‘MasterChef Junior’ season 9 episode 1 recap: Which pint-sized chef was eliminated first in ‘Eating Emoji’? [LIVE BLOG]

Denton Davidson
·8 min read
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The 12 best young home cooks between the ages of eight and 13 have been cast to compete in Season 9 of “MasterChef Junior” on Fox. Once again, Gordon Ramsay leads the judging panel and is joined by renowned chef Aarón Sánchez, Emmy-winning talk show host Daphne Oz and, for the first time, his daughter Tilly Ramsay. The winner of “MasterChef Junior” wins the coveted trophy and $100,000.

Below, read our minute-by-minute “MasterChef Junior” recap of Season 9, Episode 1, titled “Eating Emoji,” to find out what happened Monday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite young cooks on Fox’s reality TV show and who you think has what it takes to win the entire competition.

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SEE ‘MasterChef Junior’ Season 9 cast: Meet the 12 pint-sized cooks competing [PHOTOS]

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8:08 p.m. — For their first challenge, the junior chefs are each given an emoji cookie and have one hour to prepare a dish that represents the emotion behind it. The chef with the best dish will not only be safe from elimination but will also win a trip to Las Vegas in the all-new “Eating Emoji” season premiere episode of “MasterChef Junior.”

8:10 p.m. — These junior chefs have one hour to cook their dish and the clock starts now! The kids are thrilled to get their first look at the pantry, filled with endless ingredients to make a delicious plate of food. While they scavenge for ingredients we learn about Asher, an 8-year-old from Yakima, WA who started cooking when he was just two years old. His cooking style is “global fusion” and he confidently states, “My superpower is making a steak to perfect medium rare.” For this challenge he’s going to make his famous surf-n-turf. Next we hear from Kristell, a 10-year-old from Austin, Texas. Most of her life she lived in Mexico, so she’s going to make Mexican empanadas because she got the heart emoji and says, “I love making them with love.”

8:15 p.m. — Bryce is an 11-year-old from Opelika, Alabama who everyone refers to as “Cheese Curd.” His dad is a Wisconsin native known as “Papa Cheese” and a grill master, and young Bryce has competed alongside him for the past two years. Everywhere he’s gone Bryce has placed in the top five, something not many 11-year-olds can say. He admits this competition is a little stressful and says, “I might have the cool emoji, but I feel like the throwing up emoji.”

8:20 p.m. — With 45 minutes left on the clock, the judges begin to roam around the cooking stations to see how everyone is doing. Remy has the “cool emoji,” and since she’s from Florida she’s making “The Sunshine State on a Plate.” The 10-year-old says, “Potatoes are my soulmate,” so I can already relate to this kid. Remy learned to cook from her grandma and says, “I’m not here to play, I’m here to slay.” Gordon reminds her to salt her chicken or it will end up bland. Meanwhile, Daphne and Aarón have a chat with Michael, an 11-year-old from Florida who looks “cool as a cucumber.” Down the line, the biggest personality might come in the smallest package. Nine-year-old Lilo tells Gordon, “If you want to talk to me you have to put a bow on,” and pulls one out for him to pin in his hair. Lilo’s dad owns an Asian-fusion restaurant so cooking runs in the family. Her dream is to win the $100,000, open a restaurant and be her mom and dad’s boss.

8:30 p.m. — Bre is a 10-year-old from Burbank, California who is making her “famous heartburger” because she has the heart emoji. She calls herself “Bre the Burger Queen” and her “burgers are fire.” She’s always wanted to compete on “MasterChef Junior” so this is a dream come true. With 20 minutes left on the clock, Bre’s potatoes aren’t cooking and she admits, “I’m freaking out.” She runs to the pantry to find green beans. She can blanche those and serve them up if her potatoes don’t cook in time. Meanwhile, Jordyn, an eight-year-old pageant girl from Greensboro, North Carolina, tells Gordan and Tilly she looks cute and fancy on stage, but in the kitchen she likes to make a mess. She’s making her pork chops to correlate with the love emoji, because anytime someone eats her pork chops they have that same emoji face. Miles, a 10-year-old from College Station, Texas looks confident making his scallops. He was born missing part of his left arm, but doesn’t that let hold him back. He says, “I’ve got an elevated palate,” and wants to prove people with disabilities still have a place in the kitchen.

8:32 p.m. — Next, Gordon has some questions for Jason. The nine-year-old from San Gabriel, California wants to decorate his shrimp with gummy bears. That might not sound great to Gordon, but it’s right in Jason’s wheelhouse. I agrees to edit that step out, but I like this kid’s creativity. For the record, his shrimp look incredible. Time expires and all the junior chefs have to plate their dishes. It’s time for judgement! Who will win this challenge and a trip to Las Vegas?

8:44 p.m. — The judges walk around the room and look over each plate. First they’ll call forward the best three dishes. Remy serves them Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Carrots & Mushrooms, Carrot Top Chimichurri and Mashed Potatoes. Gordon says she nailed the cook on the chicken. Tilly could eat Remy’s mashed potatoes “for days.” Aarón says she took the flavors to “the next level” and Daphne says it’s “a phenomenal best effort.” Next up is Michael with his Shrimp Linguini with Green Pesto Sauce. Tilly loves the presentation and the color of his shrimp. Gordon says, “It’s really good.” Aarón says it reflects a Southern pasta dish and Daphne says it’s “beautifully balance.” The last dish in the top three is Bryson with his Ribeye Cap with Truffle Potatoes & Manchego Cheese, Broccolini and Compound Butter. Aarón compliments his “beautiful sear” and the potatoes look “glorious.” The meat and potatoes are cooked perfectly, but the judges disagree about the cook on the broccolini. Gordon thinks they’re overcooked, Tilly and Daphne like it that way. Aarón loves the flavors.

8:45 p.m. — Remy, Michael and Bryson are all safe from elimination tonight, but only one has the winning dish that will earn them a family trip to Las Vegas. Tonight’s challenge winner is…Bryson! He and his family win an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas, where they’ll stay at the Harrah’s resort and dine at Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen.

8:55 p.m. — Now for the bad news. It’s time to call three junior chefs forward with the worst dishes of the night. Lilo is called down first with her Steak Flying Noodles with Yakisoba and Stir-Fry Vegetables. Daphne calls it one of the most creative platings they’ve ever seen on the show, but she’s concerned about the cook on the steak. Gordon loves the creativity, but it looks better than it tastes. Aarón calls it “bold, but it needs some tweaking.” Next up is Miles with his Pan Seared Scallops with Garlic Lemon Caper Sauce, Brussels Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes. Gordon thinks he took the challenge “too far” by plating his dish in the shape of a smiley face. The scallops are cooked beautifully, but the mashed potatoes are lumpy. Tilly says the plate could use more sauce to bring everything together. The final dish they need to taste is Bre’s Heart Burger with Mushrooms, Onions & Cheese, Potato Wedges, Green Beans and Secret Sauce. The burger is overcooked, but at least it’s seasoned well. The potatoes are undercooked. Tilly likes the sauce and says the flavors are all there, it just needs work on the cook.

9:01 p.m. — Sadly, it’s time to eliminate one of these junior chefs. The first to go home in Season 9 is Bre. It’s tough to watch a 10-year-old break down in tears. Gordon tells her she has nothing to be embarrassed about and “the Burger Queen still reigns.” Bre says it’ “not fun” going home so early, but she can’t be sad about it. She got to show how much she loves to cook and plans to come back and win “MasterChef” when she’s older.

Launch Gallery: 'MasterChef Junior' Season 9 cast: Meet the 12 young cooks competing

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